Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Book Review: Life Support by Candace Calvert

Life Support by Candace CalvertTyndale, Feb 21st 2014

Nurse Lauren Barclay put her life on hold to keep a watchful eye on her
troubled sister. It’s why she’s back in Houston. But that means
confronting the brooding physician assistant who caused painful turmoil
in her family—and left Lauren with memories her heart can’t forget.

PA
and single parent Elijah Landry is no stranger to stormy relationships,
including one with his father, who is threatening him with a
restraining order. It won’t stop Eli from protecting his disabled
brother—or from making peace with Lauren. He wants that and so much
more.

But as Lauren and Eli draw closer, a powerful hurricane
roars toward Houston. Survival instincts take priority and everything
changes. Can hope weather the storm?

This book was waiting for me when I arrived in Washington DC at my friends place! It might have been midnight when I got there, but I was still excited to see this parcel from Candace Calvert herself! Thanks again for sending me a copy!

Okay onto the book. I enjoyed this book and found it engaging and I was immediately drawn into the action and drama of the story. After the first few chapters I was seriously wondering how these two were going to figure it out - they could barely hold a conversation as it was, and when they did, it wasn't good! Slowly though they are drawn together and forced to talk about their conflicts and differences. During this process finding that they actually hold similar views, they just go about expressing these in different ways. As they slowly figure out what they want regarding a future together; everything around them spirals out of control: Eli's brother's health, Lauren's sister Jessica becomes more erratic, the feud with Eli's father gets bigger and the storm heading towards them grows stronger every day.

The subject matters raised in this book might be difficult for some to deal with. Bipolar, depression, addictions and family feuds. However Candace deals with them gracefully, while still showing the realities of these issues. Having Lauren and Eli working through these issues with their families only makes them stronger as individuals and together. Lauren is a solid heroine, who for too long has tried to control situations by not acknowledging them, but mothering those around her. Meanwhile Eli acknowledged things so much that it caused a rift between him and his father. Both learn who is truly in control - God and they also learn that being disssimilar is not always a bad thing.

I enjoyed this book a great deal and especially for the fact that I got to read it on American soil!

Finally I was very excited when I read the quote below from Life Support:

“I wanted to call you this morning, but things got a little complicated.” He frowned. “Family stuff I had to take care of. I should probably warn you: that sort of thing isn’t unusual. The Landrys could operate a fourth ring with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey.”

Why would I be so excited about that? Well the day before I went to a Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus!! I was so excited to get the reference!

Thanks again Candace for sending me the book!

Jess' favourite genre is contemporary women's fiction and contemporary romance fiction. She also enjoys historical fiction with a focus on romance. She loves books set in country towns or farms with a cowboy featured in either historical or contemporary settings.

She is currently writing her first novel, a contemporary women's fiction/romance set in a small country town.

The circus! I'm especially glad I chose that phrase! Thank you, Jess, for this thoughtful review of my newest medical drama. Your time and talent are much appreciated. So glad you got to read it "on American soil."